FIFTY YEARS AGO

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 233, 1 October 1929, Page 5

FIFTY YEARS AGO

[ MINISTRY’S DOWNFALL SIR GEORGE GREY’S DEFEAT. • A VERY CLOSE DIVISION Following a debate in the House of Representatives early in October, 1879, a motion of want of confidence in the Government of Sir George Grey was carried on October 3 by 43 to 41 votes. Under th© heading “The Scene in the House,” the Wellington Post described what occurred on the day of the taking of the fateful division: — “There was an oppressive feeling about the House yesterday afternoon, like the stifling calm which preedes an earthquake and impels one to yyish for the earthquake at once so as to get it over and have done with it. Early yesterday afternoon it was known that the political earthquake, or, in other words, the division, which was to send the Grey Ministry toppling from their bench, would take place some time during the evening.” It had been arranged by both sides that, after Mr J. Sheehan, Minister of Native Affairs, had spoken, there should be no more talking, but that the division should take place at once. This arrangement, however, was spoilt by the member for Auckland City West, Dr. Wallis—a supporter of the Government—who appeared to have some misgivings that this might be his last opportunity of addressing the House. Amid loud and angry cries of ‘Divide’ from both sides, he persisted in inflicting a long speech on the House. The only new piece of information he had to convey was that he felt like a man with a rope round his neck, and that he had once been an inmate of a mental hospital. Neither of the statements appeared to - excite the slightest surprise, and Dr. Wallis, somewhat discomfitted, proceeded to explain that the latter assertion was a joke and that when he entered the hospital in question it was as surgeon and not as a patient. The Fateful Division. Greatly to the relief of everybody, Dr. Wallis sat down before the two hour s allotted to him by old habitues of the House, and there was an immediate rush to the division. In ..n instant, the “beggarly array of empty benches,” depleted by Dr. Wallis’ eloquence—the members having been literally “carried away” by his speech —became filled with excited-looking legislators. All the galleries at thi 8 time were crowded to suffocation. Presently came the command of the Speaker “to lock the doors/> and the question having been put, the members filed into the lobbies. The excitement of the moment made itself plainly felt. It was apparent to the most superficial observer that the moment was a critical one

Presently a cheer the Go eminent lobbies announced that the oracular Te Wheroro, a Maori member, had at length decided in favour of the “Noes.” He was powerless to affect the result, however, and a few seconds later the numbers which sealed the fate of the Ministry were announced. Deafening applause from the Opposition rent the air. Mr (afterwards Sir John) Hall, Leader of the Opposition, then rose and formally announced the appointment of a committee to prepare an address to the Governor. This wa s carried, and the committee withdrew for the purpose. In a very few seconds, however, they returned with the address. Resignation of Government. Some formal business followed, and all eyes turned on Sir George Grey, wondering what he would do next. There he sat, grasping firmly hold of his table and the back o- hig chair, with a face as immobile as if carved out of stone, and. apparently unconscious of anything out of the ordinary routine of business having occurred. Presently, however, he rose, and in the calmest and most stolid manner said that’the House had passed a resolution that the Government, “as at present , constituted,” did not possess the confidence of the House, he moved an adjournment till the following Tuesday. Sir George Grey subsequently informed the House that as a majority ox the members had decided that the Government “as at present constituted” was not worthy of their confidence, he and his colleagues had tendered their resignations to the Governor, and they had been accepted. Mr Hall said that His Excellency had sent for him and commanded him to form a Ministry, and he had undertaken to do so. The Hall Government remained in office until April, 1882.